Catechetical Sunday, observed this year on Sept. 16, is a time to celebrate those who serve their parish and school communities as catechists and catechetical leaders.

With the theme, “Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ,” this special day provides an opportunity for reflection on the role each person plays, by virtue of their Baptism, in handing on the faith. Parents and guardians are also commended for their roles. Blessings and commissioning ceremonies for those in this ministry will soon take place during Masses in parishes across the Diocese.

Click here to view the digital version of the annual Catechetical Tribute supplement.

The Church that the Lord Jesus Christ asked to “go out to all the world and tell the good news (Mark 15:16)” has had its share of “not so good news” this summer.

It will make the work of the catechist this particular year harder, for sure. But it is not a reason to stop catechizing. In fact, it makes catechesis even more urgent, more compelling, more necessary to follow the Lord’s command.More ...Friday, September 7, 2018

It all begins again. It is the season when our parishes and schools become places of catechesis, places of dynamic evangelization. Yes, September calls us to think seriously about our faith, how we learn about it and how we teach and share it.More ...Friday, September 7, 2018

Remaining faithful to the call of all baptized Christians to spread the Gospel message, catechists worldwide will renew their dedication to evangelization on Catechetical Sunday, celebrated this year on Sept. 16.

“Every interaction, whether it be at the hair salon, waiting in the doctor’s office or at the grocery store, is an opportunity for prayer,” said Mercedes Rizzo, who with her husband, David, are parents to four children, one of them with special needs.

Bringing an extensive background in religious education and a passion for continuing the mission of educating all generations about the Catholic faith, Denise Contino arrives to the Diocesan Chancery confident in her new role as director of the Department of Catechesis.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Michelle Angelo has a long history of catechetical leadership, serving in her home parish of St. John the Apostle, Linden, for four years as assistant coordinator and then coordinator of religious education, followed by eight years as director of faith formation in Holy Trinity Parish, Westfield.

Now ready to take on a position as director of religious education in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, Angelo feels blessed to begin her new ministry.

Since becoming a part of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Red Bank’s St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Brother Daniel Bowers has immersed himself in the ways of the religious order and the life of the parish.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Having been engaged in catechetical ministry at various levels for more than 30 years, Dr. Jim Bridges brings not only a wealth of knowledge to his new role as pastoral coordinator for faith formation and director of religious education in St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, but a pragmatic perspective as well.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Kay Hetherington, the new parish catechetical leader in St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, has devoted more than 20 years to serving in faith formation and religious education. Most recently she was a catechetical leader in St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, which is now part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport.

In culturally blended St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood, a new season of religious education will begin under the leadership of parish catechetical leader Maria Kozlowska.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Hildelise Limardo has served Christ the King Parish, Long Branch, as a volunteer in the bustling religious education program for five years.

That being the case, it came as no surprise when Limardo, who is also an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at the parish, was named parish catechetical leader for the religious education program there.

Jinhee Magdlena Kim, the new parish catechetical leader in the Church of the Korean Martyrs, which is part of Lawrenceville’s St. Ann Parish, is looking forward to getting the new religious education year off to a bilingual start.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Danielle Meosky, a 22-year member of St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel, is quite familiar with the religious education arena.

Having spent 15 years as a religious education teacher, and five years as assistant to the parish’s coordinator for religious education, she was ready when the opportunity arose in July for her to assume her predecessor’s role.

Carol Pisani, who has served in Church ministries for 30 years, began a new chapter in that ongoing journey recently when St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, welcomed her as pastoral associate for Lifelong Faith Formation.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Though new to the position of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, coordinator of faith formation for youth and young adults, Matthew Santucci has logged hundreds of miles in his goal to bring the Good News to Catholic youth.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Joana Schmidt, the newly appointed parish catechetical leader in St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor, has been working toward her goal of finding what she regards as a “dream position” for quite some time.More ...Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Each year, the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday on the third Sunday of September as a day for parishes to focus on honoring and commissioning catechists for their important role of handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.

This year’s theme, “Living as Missionary Disciples,” also encourages each person, by virtue of their Baptism and as part of a community of faith, to rededicate themselves to this mission.